Today we’re celebrating our middle school counselors! Students shared thoughtful words about the TMS counselors who support, encourage, and uplift them each day.
Mr. Stevens
“He is very funny and uplifting. He can make your day good.”
— Emma
“Mr. Stevens is very helpful to the students.”
— Robby
Ms. Abel
“Very fun and nice, understanding, and a great person overall.”
— Coleman
“I like to go to Ms. Abel because I feel like I can trust her with a lot of stuff. She is very nice and understanding. She is also a great listener.”
— Kambri
Ms. Patterson
“Ms. Patterson is so kind when I go see her. When I do go see her, she shares her own personal experiences that make me comfortable with my own.”
— Asher
“Ms. Patterson gives me great advice. It helps me through my life.”
— Jaylynn
Thank you to our school counselors for the impact you make every day. 💛
Today we’re celebrating our elementary school counselors! Students and staff had so many meaningful things to say about the gifted professionals who support our schools each day.
Anderson Elementary
“Ms. Evans is deeply committed to serving students in addition to meeting the needs of the entire family. She loves to tell stories and is one of the big reasons that makes our Anderson family so great.”
— Mr. Sproles, principal
Avoca Elementary
“Ms. Hyden plans engaging lessons monthly to teach my third graders about important topics, such as self-love, safety, and test-taking strategies.”
— Ms. Kinch, teacher
“Ms. Hyden is fun and teaches us important things.”
— Clara Light, student
Fairmount Elementary
“Ms. Henley is a wonderful school counselor who truly cares about our students. She’s always kind, patient, and willing to listen, and she helps our students feel comfortable and supported. Our school is a better place because of her dedication, positivity, and genuine concern for everyone’s well-being.”
— Ms. Mason, teacher
“I love Ms. Henley because she is trustworthy and a good friend. She is nice and kind and puts our needs first.”
— Bradford, fifth grade student
Haynesfield Elementary
“Ms. Combs serves our students with relevant guidance lessons that cover everything from being a good friend to internet safety. She’s available for one-on-one counseling when kids need someone to listen, and she leads lunch bunch groups to help students develop lifelong skills like communication. She also supports our staff whenever we have questions or concerns about how to best support our students. Ms. Combs is here for all of Haynesfield!”
— Ms. Ragan, teacher
“She helps me when I am sad. She will talk to me and help to cheer me up.”
— Luna, third grade student
“She gives tips for next time—like if it happens again, you know what to do.”
— Brooklyn, third grade student
Holston View Elementary
“Ms. Logan is a wonderful asset to the students at Holston View. In my own classroom, she has supported students and gone above and beyond every day. She does regular check-ins and is always there to lend a helpful hand or a listening ear. I am beyond grateful for her and all the wonderful ways she supports my students and me. She is amazing!”
— Ms. Grindstaff, teacher
“She talks to us when we are having a hard time and helps us calm down.”
— Kyson, fourth grade student
“She helps everyone with their problems.”
— Nick, fifth grade student
From helping students navigate challenges to championing their goals and well-being, their impact reaches far beyond the counseling office.
This week (and every week), we are grateful for all you do for our students, families, and schools.
Local leadership truly creates a lasting impact. From decisions in the boardroom to opportunities in the classroom, our school board members lead with purpose, vision, and a deep commitment to putting students first. Their service helps shape strong schools today and builds brighter futures for generations to come.
Thank you to our school board members for your time, leadership, and unwavering dedication to our students, staff, and community.
During recent roof work at Tennessee High School, crews uncovered evidence of an original architectural feature that had disappeared decades ago—an eight-inch, gold-leafed copper finial that once crowned the school’s iconic cupola. Using original 1936 blueprints and handcrafted techniques, the finial has now been faithfully recreated and returned to its rightful place.
This project is more than a repair—it’s a celebration of history, craftsmanship, and community pride, reflecting the ongoing commitment of Bristol Tennessee City Schools to honor the past while investing in the future.
📖 Read the full story on our website to learn how this remarkable restoration came together and why it matters to generations of Vikings and our community. https://www.btcs.org/article/2626044
This recognition reflects strong student growth and continued commitment to school success. 👏📚
🎉 Congratulations to Haynesfield Elementary and Holston View Elementary! 🎉
We’re proud to share that both schools earned an A school letter grade on the Tennessee State Report Card—recognizing strong achievement, growth, and commitment to student success. Way to go!
Bristol Tennessee City Schools is proud to celebrate a 97% graduation rate for the 2024-25 school year. This is well above the state average, reflecting our unwavering commitment to helping every student reach the graduation stage prepared for what comes next.
Across our district, students are supported by a wide range of academic pathways, career-focused opportunities, and personalized supports designed to meet them where they are and help them succeed. From early postsecondary options and career and technical education to tutoring, summer learning, and strong relationships with caring educators, BTCS works intentionally to remove barriers and create multiple pathways to graduation.
Graduation does not happen by chance. It is the result of dedicated teachers, counselors, administrators, support staff, families, school board members, and community partners working together to ensure students have access to the resources, encouragement, and opportunities they need—academically, socially, and emotionally.
As the Tennessee Department of Education announced a new statewide graduation record this year, we are proud that Bristol Tennessee City Schools continues to stand out by putting students first and keeping graduation within reach for nearly every learner.
🎉 Congratulations, Ms. Catherine Lamie! 🎉
A big shout-out to Catherine Lamie for being selected as a recipient of one of Strongwell’s STEM Grants! This competitive program supports innovative, project-based STEM learning across Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee, and we are so proud that Ms. Lamie’s vision for hands-on, real-world instruction stood out.
A huge thank-you to Strongwell for investing in our students and teachers. Their commitment to expanding access to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics helps prepare the next generation of thinkers, builders, and problem solvers.
With this grant, Ms. Lamie’s students are taking their understanding of design, measurement, and scale and applying it to real building challenges. The funding provided classroom sets of essential carpentry tools, including hammers, screwdriver kits, squares, gloves, nails and screws, pencils, compasses, and sandpaper, giving every student the opportunity to learn foundational construction skills.
This hands-on project serves as a meaningful stepping stone into CTE pathways, especially our construction and engineering programs, and empowers students to learn by creating, problem-solving, and building with purpose.
Thank you, Strongwell, for helping our Vikings dream bigger and do more. ⚙️📐
This morning, our school counselors gathered for one of the most meaningful traditions of the season—the Johnia Berry Toy Drive distribution. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, these toys will go directly to BTCS students who might otherwise go without gifts this Christmas.
BTCS Family Resource Center Coordinator Kay Ward, who oversees the district’s collection and distribution efforts, shared that “everything collected in Bristol stays in Bristol.” School counselors come with specific wish lists in hand, choosing toys for children who are not participants in other holiday programs like Santa Pal or the Salvation Army Angel Tree.
Today’s “toy store” was made possible by many dedicated partners:
🎄 The Bristol TN/VA Realtors Association and their unforgettable Christmas in July event
🎄 Johnia Berry Holiday Toy Drive 2025
🎄 Toy collections at local Food City locations
🎄 A hardworking crew of King University students, organized by Coach Kyleigh Payne, who unloaded and sorted toys so today could run smoothly
🎄 Tennessee High School Civinettes who fundraised, purchased, donated toys, and helped set things up for today’s school counselor distribution
Counselors selected toys in rounds, matching gifts to the wishes and needs of students across our district. The joy in the room was contagious!
✨ Thank you to every partner, volunteer, and donor who made today possible. Because of you, our students will feel the love and magic of the season.
Over the past several weeks, THS Art Club members designed and hand-painted the plow blade as part of TDOT’s Paint the Plow initiative, which engages students in promoting safe driving behaviors during hazardous winter conditions. The finished design features local imagery, a “Drive Slow” safety message, and the students’ own artistic interpretation of Bristol and Tennessee High.
Art teacher Shawn Graham said the project offered students a meaningful way to serve the community while using their artistic skills to raise awareness.
“Our students are concerned about promoting safe roads for friends, family, and everyone who travels through our area,” Graham said. “They planned, organized, and painted every part of this design, and we’re grateful to TDOT and Principal Kim Kirk for giving them this opportunity.”
Students who were instrumental to the project include Lilly Chatten, Karma Laurie, Kailey Caudle, Evan Vance, Gavin Yates, Jade Worley, Brooke Bird, and Jack Blevins.
TDOT representative Drew Rutherford worked closely with the group throughout the project. The completed blade—provided by Sullivan County DOT—will be put into service this winter, clearing snow and ice from interstate lanes and state routes across Sullivan County.
The unveiling celebrated both the students’ hard work and the community partnership that made the project possible.
Our middle and high school students got an incredible hands-on look at high-demand careers this week thanks to the Be Pro Be Proud mobile workshop! From welding to robotics to utility line work, students explored real-world skills and pathways.
Read the full story here: www.btcs.org/article/2581701.
Through an interactive activity called Reality Check, students were assigned a job, salary or hourly wage, and even life circumstances—like children or additional expenses. From there, they had to budget wisely, pay monthly bills, make choices about housing and transportation, and sometimes even pick up a second job to make ends meet.
The goal? Finish with at least $200 left in the bank—a challenge that sparked great discussion, problem-solving, and plenty of “aha!” moments.
We’re grateful to Regions Bank for partnering with our students and helping them build essential life skills that will serve them well beyond the classroom!
🎉 Congratulations to Our 2024–2025 Tennessee Reward Schools! 🎉
We are proud to announce that three Bristol Tennessee City Schools have been named Reward Schools by the Tennessee Department of Education—an honor recognizing outstanding student success in both achievement and growth.
Haynesfield Elementary
Tennessee Online Public School (TOPS)
Holston View Elementary
This distinction represents the hard work of our students, the dedication of our teachers and staff, and the strong support of our families and community. We are incredibly proud of each school for earning one of the state’s highest recognitions.
Help us celebrate these schools and their continued commitment to excellence!
